Family Shipwrecked in Alaska | Home | 1

Against The Odds

Wondery

Cassie De Pecol, History, Society & Culture, Dolby, Mike Corey, Dolby Atmos, Atmos

4.7 • 7.2K Ratings

🗓️ 8 April 2025

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

It’s February 13, 1979. Elmo Wortman and his three children are sailing home to Alaska across the frigid North Pacific after a routine orthodontist visit in Canada. But this time, they get caught in a freak storm—80-mile-per-hour winds and towering 20-foot swells rip their homemade sailboat apart, leaving them stranded on a remote island in the dead of winter.

Pre-order your copy of the new Against the Odds book, How to Survive Against the Odds: Tales & Tips for Animal Attacks and Natural Disasters, for stories of everyday people confronted by life-or-death situations, showing you how they survived—and how you can too.

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

Listen to Against The Odds on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting http://wondery.com/links/against-the-odds/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Against the Odds early and ad-free right now.
0:05.6	Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.
0:10.0	A listener note. Against the odds uses dramatizations that are based on true events.
0:15.3	Some elements, including dialogue, may be invented, but everything is based on research.
0:29.2	Thank you. dialogue may be invented, but everything is based on research. 48-year-old Elmo Wartman stands in the pilot house of his sailboat and watches the sunlight
0:34.9	sparkle across the waves. His brown hair and sideburns peek out from under his plaid sailor hat,
0:41.3	and a gentle breeze fills the air.
0:44.3	He turns to his 13-year-old daughter, Marjorie,
0:47.3	who's gripping the wooden tiller arm with steady hands.
0:50.3	That's right, you're really getting the feel of the boat.
0:55.0	Elmo is relieved that his kids are learning to steer.
0:58.0	The constant motion of the rudder inflames his aching joints.
1:03.0	As he gives Marjorie pointers, 12-year-old Cindy and 11-year-old Randy lounge behind them.
1:09.0	His fourth child, 8-year-old Jenna, is below deck
1:12.9	with her nose buried in a book. Elmo opens the hatch and calls down to her. Come on up, Jenna. It's a
1:19.2	beautiful day. It's April 1975, and Elmo and his four children are sailing along the northern
1:26.8	coast of British Columbia,
1:28.5	with no exact destination in mind.
1:31.3	A week ago, they left Washington State and have since traveled 500 miles north.
1:37.2	This voyage isn't just an adventure.
1:39.8	It's a fresh start.
1:42.2	Elmo is a carpenter, but recently, severe joint and muscle pain set in.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Wondery, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Wondery and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.